ADDIS ABABA- The nation’s reform has been gaining a firm foothold despite nonstop plotting of various political conspiracies aimed at weakening public trust in government, said Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed.
The remark came when he responded the queries of MPs on current issues yesterday in an extraordinary session of the House of Peoples’ Representative. The premier also reaffirmed that the sweeping reform has stopped the country form tearing apart and brought viable economic and political changes in the country.
He, however, noted that the actors of “State Capture’’ have been making desperate attempts in bid to revive the past self –serving clique network which is blamed for the current political and economic crisis. “No matter how difficult the challenges in this end, we are ready to face them and I am confident enough that we will overcome the hardships and become victorious.”
Regarding to burning down of worship houses and kidnapping of university students, Abiy said it is disgusting to witness such ill intent and immoral acts at this particular period of time. “The sworn enemies of Ethiopia inside and outside are trying to take advantage over the current situation instigating chaos but in vain, the government will provide detailed information about the issue to public at large soon.
The premier pointed out that the upcoming General Election would be held per the schedule introduced by the National Electoral Board of Ethiopia adding that the Board has been fully acting without the interference of the executive body. “Political parties could discuss on the election day with Board, but it is impossible to extend the day further than August 2020 since we have to establish the new government by September.”
Noting that the government has not introduced a new policy shift in privatization, Dr. Abiy said that the government is cautious not to repeat the mistakes that was occurred in the transferring of public entities to private capital.
Despite the EPRDF Executive Committee decided to transfer minority shares in strategic state-owned companies such as Ethiopian Airlines, Ethio-telecom and Ethiopian Shipping Lines back in 2018, a single company has not been yet privatized due to the meticulous evaluation of the market values of the corporates.
According to him, the recent approval of a three billion USD loan by the WB and IMF to Ethiopia showcase the country’s economic structuring plan is on the right track. The economic restructuring significantly has left the country from debt trap managing the enormous public expenditures that were propelled by external borrowing.
PM Abiy noted that Ethiopia has been witnessing significant reform in the financial sector and the government canceled the regulation that required private banks to purchase 27 percent of their deposit in the form of bonds from the National Bank of Ethiopia. The new regulation enables private banks to provide more finance for business and investment projects.
Also, the central bank allocated 14.5 billion birr to private banks to overcome the liquidity challenge that they have encountered partly due to the new regulation.
Concerning the ongoing GERD talks, he stated that currently Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt have been in a series of discussions to reach a consensus on the filling and operating process of the dam. The discussions are brokered by the U.S. Government and WB.
Expressing his optimism that the three countries would reach a final deal soon, the premier said that Ethiopia pursues the discussion in a way that ensures its national interest and in the principle of equitable use of Nile waters.
The Ethiopian Herald, February 4/2020
BY BILAL DERSO & DANIEL BEYENE
Photo:- Dagne Abera
